Performance of the West African vegetable crop Telfairia occidentalis as a function of distance from a row of mango trees.
Emebiri L. C., Nwufo M. I.
Author Affiliation: Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1526, Oweeri, Nigeria.
Agroforestry Systems 27 : 183-186
Abstract : In experiments carried out during the 1991-92 cropping season at the Teaching and Research farm of the Federal University of Technology, Nigeria (Lake Nwaebere campus), yield of Telfairia occidentalis (a leafy vegetable fluted pumpkin) grown at various distances (3, 4, 5 and 6 m) from a row of mango trees, remained unaffected by proximity to the tree line until about 170 days after planting (DAP). The onset of the dry season, when water usually becomes limiting, occurred at about this time. The results support the suggestion that crops whose harvestable parts are vegetative tend to be less affected when grown in proximity to trees, provided water is not limited.